Two Terrific IHeart Podcasts: Skinquiries and Car And Driver's Into Cars

iHeart Media has hundreds of podcasts. When your roster of shows is that large, it's inevitable that some of them aren't very good, others attract a weird, albeit extreme, audience, and others are clones of shows on Spotify or Wondery. 

Today, however, I'm happy to report that iHeart has struck audio gold with two new podcasts -- one about cars (Americans love cars) and the other about our skin (Americans are obsessed with their skin).

First, iHeartMedia’s Ruby Studio and Car and Driver have debuted the Car and Driver’s Into Cars Podcast For auto enthusiasts.

 As most of you know, Car and Driver (CD or C/D) is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published in 1955. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased it from its prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011. It was founded as Sports Cars Illustrated.

In fact, Car and Driver and Road & Track are sister publications at Hearst and have for many years shared the same advertising, sales, marketing, and circulation departments. However, their editorial operations are distinct and they have separate publishers.

Car and Driver’s Into Cars examines the hottest and most compelling new cars of the year. As the name suggests, this show brings listeners into the cars to hear the engines revving and the tires squealing. After experiencing the cars, the hosts step into the studio to talk to the people who designed and built them. Episode one features the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, and upcoming episodes will include the Acura Integra Type S, BMW i5 and 530i, Cadillac Celestiq, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and the Toyota Land Cruiser.

  The show's hosts are Tony Quiroga, Editor-in-Chief of Car and Driver, and Eddie Alterman, Chief Brand and Content Officer of Hearst Autos, who bring to the show the same intelligence, independence and irreverence that has made Car and Driver a trusted source for news and reviews since 1955. The hosts should deliver candid reviews of the most compelling new vehicles on the road. eBay Motors is the exclusive sponsor of Car and Driver’s Into Cars for season one, which, I think, is a clever blending of content and advertising.

  The first episode of Car and Driver’s Into Cars debuted on June 6, 2024. New episodes post each Thursday.

Now, this next iHeart podcast is inspired. Social media and the podcasting platform overflows with stories, ads, testimonials, demonstrations, influencer pushiness, and celebrity endorsements of skin care products. 

This podcast, Skinquiries, about the skin, which is the largest organ in the human body proves -- I'm going to say it -- reveals that beauty is more than skin deep.

Can we talk about how incredible our skin is? Eleven miles of blood vessels, provide a first line of defense, and a mirror into our health and well-being. Our skin is really our biggest guidepost. It sends us important messages, reflecting our lifestyle, nutrition, and sometimes our thoughts.

The marketing pitch is: "So, let’s shine a spotlight on our skin. Let’s go deep into skin health: what it means, what it looks like, and how to have it. Nicole Berrie hosts Skinquiries, a new show brought to you by Ruby Studio from iHeartRadio. With help from people with real life stories, experts, and doctors, let's get to the heart of what makes us glow from the inside out."

I have listened to the first two episodes and they are fascinating. The May 30th episode begins with a predictable -- yet still compelling -- morality tale of how lounging in the sun can make you feel and look great, but without the proper care, you might be unintentionally hurting your skin.

Host Nicole Berrie explores the skin’s relationship with the sun. Berrie speaks to skin cancer survivor and patient advocate Jacqueline Smith about the dangers of assuming that any skin is immune from sun damage. And dermatologist and skin cancer doctor Mary Stevenson weighs in on the safest ways to enjoy the great outdoors while protecting ourselves.

Take a listen to find out how much sunscreen you should really be using, ways to have fun but stay safe in the sun, and when to stop wondering what's going on with your skin and seek help. Get ready to rethink your approach to sun protection and skincare –it's time to shed light on the truth behind sun-kissed skin.

The second episode, -- June 6th -- veers away from the familiar into the unexpected. Have you tried a cold plunge? While host, Nicole Berrie, prefers the soothing embrace of a steamy sauna to the invigorating rush of a cold plunge, she’s open to the idea of a cold dunk and all of its benefits to your skin.

When it comes to cold plunges, those who love it, love it a lot, like Melissa Kegler, who shares her journey to becoming a cold water distance marathon swimmer, including the benefits and dangers that go with it.

While dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav shares her expertise on what subjecting our skin to extreme temperatures really does and how to reap the benefits of cold plunging without damaging your skin.

 Nicole Berrie is a terrific host -- funny, inquisitive, with a flair for narrative drama. Check out Skinquiries. 

As conventional wisdom explains: "Be good to your skin. You will wear it every day for the rest of your life."